Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are Typical Heat Shrinkable Tubing Applications?
2. What Industry Specifications are Followed?
3. How do I size heat shrink tubing correctly?
4. Thin Wall or Dual Wall?
5. What is the difference between PVC and polyolefin?
6. What Materials are Available?

Typical applications can be found in the field of insulating, neck banding, full-body labeling, multi-pack, color coding, bar-coding, package labeling, mechanical protection, corrosion protection, and moisture sealing.

Heat shrinkable tubing products can be found in all major markets, such as the automotive industries, HABA, food industries, pharmaceutical industries, toiletry and cosmetic industries, wine industries, beverage industries, electronics industries, power stations, cable and wire industries, appliances, audio and video, communications and tele-communications, liquor industries, off-shore industry, spacecraft, military industry, beer industries, aviation industry, do-it-yourselves stores, medical industries, building and constructions and many other markets.

Heat shrinkable plastic tubing, plastic tubing and sleeving is manufactured to certain industry specifications.  These specifications include;

AMS - Aerospace Material Standards

ASTM - American Society for Testing and Materials

NEMA - National Electrical Manufacturers Association

CSA - Canadian Standards Association

Commercial

FDA - Food and Drug Administration

Mil - Military

UL - Underwriter's Laboratory

Federal

Thin-wall tubing provides superior insulation, strain relief, and protection against mechanical damage and abrasion. Benefits include:

•  Reliably consistent dimensions and physical properties.
•  Meets with MIL-I-23053 and MIL-R-46846 standards.
•  UL/CSA recognized.

When corrosion protection and sealing are required, use heat-shrinkable dual-wall tubing. During installation, an adhesive lining melts and flows, creating a moisture-resistant protective barrier. Benefits of this type of tubing include:

•  Controlled amounts of adhesive and consistent results.
•  Compliance with MIL-I-23053 standards.
•  UL/CSA recognition

They are completely different polymers with different advantages. PVC has better clarity, colorability, UV resistance, chemical resistance, and is less expensive than polyolefin. Polyolefin has been a workhorse in the electronics market for years because of its wider operating temperature range, extended shelf life, light weight, and proven track record. The key to product selection is to use the product that meets your requirements and specifications.

The inside diameter of shrink tubing depends on the outside diameter of the substrate onto which you will be shrinking. In this WEB site, we provide expanded inside diameters and recovered inside diameters for your referral. Choose an expanded size that fits over your substrate and will shrink down with heat more than the substrate outside diameter for a snug fit. Shrink ratios are available in 2:1, 3:1, and custom ratios. For a thinner recovered tube wall thickness, choose an expanded size that just slips over the substrate.

Heat Shrinkable Tubing:    Polyolefin, PVC, Heavy Wall, PET.

Extruded Tubing:     Polypropylene, Eva, Urethane, PVC, Polyethylene, Neoprene, Silicone, Teflon TFE/FEP.

For more information see our Products page or Contact Us or send us an Email.